A Bivariate Approximation Spreadsheet Calculator by Lagrange Interpolation

Abstract

Even though interpolating bivariate data by Lagrange interpolation is straightforward, its repetitive calculations are quite boring and complicated if the number of data is large. Hence, there is a need to have a suitable tool in teaching and learning Numerical Methods for this topic. To simplify things, we have developed an Excel spreadsheet calculator to interpolate the bivariate data with 4 rows by 4 columns using Lagrange interpolation. The spreadsheet calculator can be used by educators and students who need its full solution. In addition, users only need to enter a dataset, two independent variables, and the values of the two independent variables which are not in the dataset to obtain a bivariate approximation solutions table in the respective target cells automatically. Besides, the excel command given helps in the teaching and learning process of this topic using Excel spreadsheet.